THE GLORIOUS DEAD

The magnificent chapter house in the monastery of Batalha houses the tomb of the unknown soldier, hence the several servicemen seen on the photos. I was always intrigued by the large span of the ceiling vaults and why they couldn’t cover the “Imperfect Chapels”, a different space behind the apse of the church, as they were seemingly too large.

The French master builder Huguet was the man in charge, and the chapter house is a magnificent testimony to his dare. Permanently dark, with only one window facing the street, it contrasts starkly with the cloister beyond.